The Associated Students Inc. Senate approved two amendments to the student government’s bylaws, one of which recognizes the ASI president’s chief of staff as a full-time executive position.
After hearing statements from ASI President Shefali Mistry and Treasurer Zaira Tinoco, the Senate voted 15-1 to approve an amendment that gives the chief of staff executive-level status previously held only by the president, vice-president and treasurer.
Mistry asked the Senate to approve the amendment, saying the executive label is associated with those officers who are dedicated to serving full time. She said not amending the bylaws to recognize Chief of Staff Mekonnen Garedew as an executive would hinder him in fulfilling his duties to the best of his abilities.
“If he were not approved as an executive officer today, I would lose my chief of staff and I would not be able to do my job as president, not to my full capabilities,” Mistry said. “I’m urging you to add him as chief of staff.”
“As ASI treasurer, I want to let the Senate know that I do support this amendment,” Tinoco said, encouraging the Senate to vote affirmative.
The Senate voted on three amendments in all, approving two. The other amendment passed, which outlines using special elections to amend the bylaws, was approved without objection.
In an address to the Senate, Mistry said she was choosing to veto a bylaw amendment that requires student justices to commit to two-year terms. Mistry said it is unfair to require that kind of commitment because no student can be sure what will happen in that time period.
“A two-year commitment could possibly scare off potential justices because they can’t foresee the next two years,” she said, adding that she might not have run for senator and then president if she had been required to take on a two-year term in the Senate. “This would also take the opportunity away from seniors who are graduating but want to get involved.”
Mistry said she has faith in the Senate to make an informed decision when it’s the opportunity to overturn her veto comes around.
Two new senators were sworn in at the meeting yesterday, filling all seats on the board of directors. Sens. Gary Chan and Erin Swetland took their oaths before voting began.
